“The eight years of Mr. Peter Obi’s administration as the Governor of Anambra State were clear and pragmatic demonstration of leadership.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Members of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) have explained that they wrote a book on the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in order to let the world know of the exemplary and purposeful leadership he provided as Governor of Anambra State.
The 152-page book entitled “The Challenge of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: Eight Years of Peter Obi in Anambra State,” has seven contributors under the editorship of Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, the Leader of ADF.
Nwala, who made the revelation at the unveiling of the book, added that Obi had remained a beacon of good governance.
According to him, the eight years of Mr. Peter Obi’s administration as the Governor of Anambra State were clear and pragmatic demonstration of leadership.
Prof. Nwala explained that the book was not essentially about Peter Obi as a person, but about the exemplary and purposeful leadership he provided during his tenure.
He further said that the need to use Obi as a model was borne out of the testimony they garnered when the group undertook the industrial tour of Alaigbo, starting with Anambra State.
He said that in Anambra, when they met with Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, he was full of kind, reassuring and encouraging words about Obi.
Further, he disclosed how the CEO of INNOSON Vehicle Manufacturing, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, requested them to thank Obi for the unprecedented support he offered him, including making it possible for him to stand on sound financial footing by paying him upfront for vehicles supplied to him, as well as the part he played when his consignment was seized by customs.
Nwala said that the trip to Onitsha Habour Industrial areas were eye-opening. “We learnt the place was resuscitated by Peter Obi. The network of roads he built in the area were exceptional.”
He also said that all the industries they visited spoke highly of Obi in terms of support and deep understanding of the requirements of the time. “Those visits convinced us to research into Obi’s era as a model for leadership,” Nwala said
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), His Lordship, Bishop Obi Onubogu, described the choice of Obi as a model of true leadership presented for emulation, a very objective one, because his leadership style has continued to reverberate among the people.
Speaking on behalf of Obi’s former EXCO members, Prof. Stella Chinyere Okunna, who led the team, said that in spite all odds, they always felt proud by the quality of services they helped Mr. Obi to deliver to the people.
“We may not be rich, but we have remained proud to be associated with Mr. Peter Obi whose passion for growth and development is unrivaled in this clime,” Okunna said.
With Okunna for the event were: Dr. Patrick Obi, Dr. Chike Ohamobi, Dr. Mike Egbebike and Val. Obienyem.
There was no donation at the event, as the organisers said it was just to formally let the world, Nigerians and Igbo people know that a book on practical leadership capable of re-orienting serious leaders is out and available for them to buy and read for edification.